Wanner Sendoff Includes Renamed Stadium

By Desiree Parker Wednesday, July 28, 2010

James City County Supervisors had a relatively uneventful meeting Tuesday evening, with the focus primarily on citizens, supervisors and staff getting a chance to say goodbye to outgoing administrator Sandy Wanner.

Though Chairman Jim Kennedy generally leads the meetings, on Tuesday evening Wanner had the opportunity to preside for his final meeting after 14 years in his current position. His grandson was in attendance to lead the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

During the citizen comment period, Ed Oyer, who addresses the supervisors at nearly every meeting to share his thoughts, asked Wanner to stand beside him as he read a poem he had written to commemorate the administrator’s retirement. Oyer, a former Marine, also presented Wanner with a small gift and honored him with a salute.

At the end of the meeting, Wanner said a few words of farewell. He thanked citizens for their faith in local government, and thanked the board for having faith in him over the years. He gave a heartfelt thanks to staff and also his wife, who expected him to retire in the summer of 2009 until he agreed to stay on for another year to help the county through tough fiscal times.

“I hope in my efforts as county administrator ... that I have left the county as a better place,” he said, to a standing ovation from the audience, staff and supervisors.

Kennedy read a resolution outlining all the highlights of Wanner’s career and then said the James City County stadium would be renamed the Sanford B. Wanner Stadium in his honor.

While all the supervisors said their goodbyes from the dais, supervisor John McGlennon gave the most moving and heartfelt speech of the evening. He said he’d reflected on Wanner’s service and figured the administrator had been to about 300 meetings. He likened his feelings about Wanner to those of the people serving under Franklin Roosevelt who left a large void in people’s lives when his four terms came to an abrupt end.

“I’ve never served under anyone else,” McGlennon said. Wanner “is a guy who I have come to respect as a strong leader,” McGlennon said. “He is one of the warmest, most decent men I’ve ever met,” and has been a great leader in the community and a great leader to staff.

Wanner’s family gives him a great sense of personal connection to the community, McGlennon noted, “and it is to all of our great good fortune that his sense of family includes us, too.”

Kennedy thanked Wanner for staying on the extra year, and said he and Wanner had “worked well together.” He thanked Wanner for having offered good counsel over the years. “The opportunities I’ve had to seek input from you have been invaluable… both personal and professional.”

Kennedy said a year ago he had a meeting with Wanner and asked him to stay on for another year. “Sandy loves this community,” he said. “Thank you for everything you’ve done, and for having patience with me.”

Service Authority head Larry Foster also took time out from his report to thank Wanner, and to say how he’s enjoyed serving with Wanner for more than 20 years in various county departments.

Regular business
Supervisors approved everything on their agenda unanimously Tuesday evening, including a special use permit for a new Toano-based packaging plant for La Tienda, the gourmet Spanish-food store.

Supervisors also approved a new tax break for pollution control equipment and facilities, which would protect against or limit water and air pollution by businesses in the county.

McGlennon took time out to explain that the tax break applies only to new equipment, will not reduce current tax revenues, and is merely pre-empting an upcoming state law.

Finally, supervisors heard the results of the Green Building Round Table discussions. The group was formed at Kennedy’s request and has come up with ideas on environmentally better business practices.

The recommendations in their report include a wide range of ideas for the county, including increasing education and communication, beginning or continuing efforts in various county departments, developing partnerships, seeking grant funding, and looking at developing green building ordinances and policies for private development.

Leader Steven Hicks suggested supervisors consider keeping the group in an advisory and research capacity into the future.

Read the other items approved by supervisors on their online agenda.